I saw some opinions a while back regarding the new Oval 700TT bar. Thought I would share mine after checking it out this weekend.
I used to ride a Syntace C2 clipon with my old bike. Last year I upgraded my equipment and put a Vison Tech Trimax plus on my new ride. It's a great bar, very comfortable, stiff, and feels very clean and aero. But the problem I had was that it stretched me out too far (integrated stem, not adjustable), and I was not thrilled about the dropped hand position for climbing, although this was less of an issue for me.
For a better fit I got fitted with a new Oval bar. I thought this would be a better option b/c you can select a stem length. I was very disappointed after trying it out briefly and examining it. The hand grips are WAY to short, and you can barely get a good grip. The bar is not very light (net weight with the stem is comparable to my Vision). But my biggest gripe is with the armrests and pads. Very cheap and uncomfortable. I could not imagine riding that bar for 112 miles.
To sum up, IMO the Oval Bar is junk. I decided to go with the old standby of a Syntace C2 and a bullhorn. I think the integrated aerobar idea is really cool, but I can't see how the cool factor and the aerodynamics of would be worth the sacrafice in adjustability, lightness, comfort (and cost). I wish Syntace would come out with their Blackbird that they have prototyped at Interbike for several years.
I used to ride a Syntace C2 clipon with my old bike. Last year I upgraded my equipment and put a Vison Tech Trimax plus on my new ride. It's a great bar, very comfortable, stiff, and feels very clean and aero. But the problem I had was that it stretched me out too far (integrated stem, not adjustable), and I was not thrilled about the dropped hand position for climbing, although this was less of an issue for me.
For a better fit I got fitted with a new Oval bar. I thought this would be a better option b/c you can select a stem length. I was very disappointed after trying it out briefly and examining it. The hand grips are WAY to short, and you can barely get a good grip. The bar is not very light (net weight with the stem is comparable to my Vision). But my biggest gripe is with the armrests and pads. Very cheap and uncomfortable. I could not imagine riding that bar for 112 miles.
To sum up, IMO the Oval Bar is junk. I decided to go with the old standby of a Syntace C2 and a bullhorn. I think the integrated aerobar idea is really cool, but I can't see how the cool factor and the aerodynamics of would be worth the sacrafice in adjustability, lightness, comfort (and cost). I wish Syntace would come out with their Blackbird that they have prototyped at Interbike for several years.
